Title: Cuban Parliament Strongly Rejects European Parliament’s Resolution on Cuba
Havana, July 12, 2023 – The International Relations Commission of the National Assembly of People’s Power (ANPP) has issued a statement firmly denouncing the resolution adopted by the European Parliament on July 12. The resolution, which was based on a debate held on June 13, addresses the status of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (ADPC) between the European Union (EU) and Cuba, following a visit to Havana by the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.
The ANPP International Relations Commission argues that the European Parliament lacks the moral, political, and legal authority to pass judgment on Cuba. They emphasize that the resolution demonstrates a high level of interventionism, defaming not only Cuba’s reality, legal system, and adherence to the rule of law, but also its sovereign relations with other countries in accordance with international law. Furthermore, the Commission criticizes the European Parliament’s double standards in issuing value judgments, particularly in relation to the resurgence of fascism, which seems to be met with silence.
The resolution was based on a debate that showcased a strong ideological bias from a group of conservative and far-right Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), some known to have ties with anti-Cuban politicians in the United States. The ANPP suggests that the aim of these MEPs is to obstruct the ongoing positive relations between Cuba and the European Union, as established in the ADPC signed by all 27 member states. The Cuban Parliament accuses them of distorting facts and deliberate lies in an attempt to undermine the progress made in various fields, including cooperation.
The debate, which featured senior representatives from other EU institutions such as the Council and the European Commission, highlighted the effectiveness of the ADPC in advancing mutually beneficial development of relations, as well as the counterproductive nature of unilateral and interfering positions that have impeded dialogue and cooperation in the past.
The Cuban Parliament expresses its gratitude towards those MEPs who denounced the intention to sabotage the ongoing dialogue and cooperation between Europe and Cuba, characterizing such attempts as a slavish tribute to the United States Government’s policies against the Cuban people. These policies are universally rejected each year in the United Nations General Assembly.
The resolution is seen by Cuba as part of the United States‘ efforts to isolate the country internationally and justify its long-standing genocidal blockade, which has inflicted significant damage on the Cuban people for over six decades. Additionally, it is viewed as an attack on European companies that invest or express interest in doing so in Cuba. The Cuban Parliament believes this resolution signifies the extreme right’s desire to undermine the European Union’s independent policy towards Cuba.
The Cuban Parliament warns that singling out a Latin American and Caribbean country violates the principles of respect, inclusion, and cooperation that underpin the upcoming Third CELAC-EU Summit to be held in Brussels. They stress that adopting such a resolution may raise doubts about the European Union’s objectives in reestablishing relations with Latin America and the Caribbean.
The ANPP calls upon MEPs to respect the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Cuba, the commitments of member states, and the positions of other EU institutions such as the Council and the European Commission. They also urge MEPs to listen to the sentiments of broad sectors of European societies that advocate for consolidating dialogue, exchanges, and collaboration for mutual interest.
In conclusion, the Cuban Parliament firmly rejects the European Parliament’s resolution as an infringement on the principles of respect, inclusion, and cooperation and as an attempt to hinder the positive relations between Cuba and the European Union.
[Source: Cuban Parliament]